16 Do not forget to do good to others, and share with them, because such sacrifices please God.
17 Obey your leaders and act under their authority. They are watching over you, because they are responsible for your souls. Obey them so that they will do this work with joy, not sadness. It will not help you to make their work hard.
18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience, because we always want to do the right thing.
19 I especially beg you to pray so that God will send me back to you soon.
20-21 I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing you need so you can do what he wants. God raised from the dead our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, because of the blood of his death. His blood began the eternal agreement that God made with his people. I pray that God will do in us what pleases him, through Jesus Christ, and to him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
22 My brothers and sisters, I beg you to listen patiently to this message I have written to encourage you, because it is not very long.
23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been let out of prison. If he arrives soon, we will both come to see you.